Intersecting joint construction



' Sept. 15, 1959 Filed May 4, 1956 C. M. MOORE INTERSECTING JOINTCONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Cgfde Mazmfae' INVENTOR Moore ATTORNEYSSept. 15, 1959 c. M. MOORE 2,904,144

INTERSECTING JOINT CONSTRUCTION v v I Filed May 4, 1956 2 Shqetg-Sh'eet2 "INVENTQR figyak Maurice Moore ATTORNEYS United States Patent2,904,144 I INTERSECTING JOINT CONSTRUCTION This invention relates tojoint construction, and particularly to the construction of intersectingjoints between adjacent edges of panels or the like comprising the wallsof containers, buildings, roofs, or similar structures.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSerial No. 209,169, filed February 2, 1951 (now Patent No. 2,751,109),which, in turn, disclosed improvements on the subject matter of myapplication Serial No. 167,793, filed June 13 1950 (now Patent No.2,673,659, dated March 30, 1954) and my copending application Serial No.177,106, filed August 1, 1950, now Patent No. 2,761,582, dated Sept. 4,1956.

Many proposals have been made heretofore for constructing containers,buildings and similar structures of separable panel-like sections torender the structures readily assemblable and demountable. Manydiiferent proposals for construction of the joints between adjacentpanels have been proposed but, prior to my invention, no practical orsimple solution was found to the problem of effecting a tight andcontinuous joint in the region wherein two such joints intersect.

According to the present invention, the joint between adjacent panels isformed by employing clamping bars on opposite faces of the structurewall, which bars each engage and overlie adjacent edge portions of thepanels being joined. The invention includes interlocking means betweenthe panels and bars to prevent lateral withdrawal of the panel edgesfrom between the clamping and sealing bars. While the interlockingconstruction may take many forms, it preferably comprises features inthe nature of transverse flanges extending along the edges of each paneland complementary grooves in the clamping bars. In regions where onesuch joint extends transverse to and intersects a similar joint, theclamping bars are constructed in a unique and novel manner whereby toprovide a continuation of their channels around the corner from onejoint to the joint it intersects whereby the flanges on thecorresponding panels may extend continuously around a panel corner andthus insure continuous closing and/or sealing of the joint around theintersection. The novelty resides in part in the provision of a lateralnotch in at least one of the clamping bars at the intersection and acomplementarily formed end on the corresponding clamping bar of theintersecting joint, whereby the joint at the intersection not onlyconstitutes a continuous closure but the interengagement between thebars locks one joint against shifting movement relative to the joint itintersects.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide aninterlocking joint between panel edges formed to interengage with asimilar joint which it intersects and to provide continuous interlockbetween the parts and effective closure and/or sealing throughout theintersec.

tion without bulky or complicated additional parts. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide novel structure as setforth wherein the parts are easily assembled and disassembled.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an.

Patented Sept. 15, 1959 intersecting joint construction as set forthwherein the intersecting joints are interlocked to prevent relativeshifting of the parts.

A further object of this invention is to provide joint intersectionconstruction as described including a flowable sealing material in thejoint and a novel relationship between the sealing material and thestructural elements at a joint intersection.

Further and additional objects and advantages will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the description proceeds in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a representative structureembodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1and showing a fragmentary portion of the structure on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the lefthand central portion ofFig. l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the members shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, but showing analternative form of joint construction;

Fig. 6 is a plan view, similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the jointconstruction of Fig. 5 as adapted to intersecting joints;

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the panels and the lowerclamping bars of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the upper clamping bars of Fig. 6 asviewed from the inner side thereof; and

Figs. 9 and 10, respectively, illustrate further modifications of jointintersection construction embodying the principles of the presentinvention.

The structure shown in Fig. 1, for purpose of illustration only, may beconsidered to be a tank or container of generally cylindrical formhaving end walls 2 and side wall panels 4. Adjacent edges of adjacentpanels 4 are securely held together by a joint structure generallyidentified by numeral 5. The ends of the panels 4 are joined to the endpanels 2 by a joint construction generally indicated by numeral 6. It iscontemplated that the joints 5 and 6 be of substantially identicalconstruction.

As is inevitable to properly form a complete structure, the joints 5must intersect the joints 6 at a plurality of positions on thestructure. This invention is directed principally to the relationship ofthe parts at those joint intersections generally identified bycharacters A and B of Fig. 1, by way of illustration.

Referring now to Fig. 2, which is an enlarged transverse sectional viewthrough the joint 5 and may be considered as representative of a sectionthrough the joint 6 also, adjacent panels 4 are formed at their edgeswith inwardly extending continuous peripheral portions 8 terminating inoutwardly directed transverse flanges 10. An upper clamping and sealingbar 12 is provided with a longitudinal channel 14. The side edgeportions 15 of the bar 12 are so configured as to nest snugly within thespace between the flanges 10 and portions 8 of the panels and is shownwith its outer surface lying substantially flush with the outer surfaceof the panels although such flush relationship is not essential. This ismerely an illustrative example since the features of the invention donot require 'that the clamping bar 12 be flush with the outer surface ofthe panels.

The channels 14 are provided with undercut portions 16 serving to retaintherein a self-sustaining but flowable strip of deformable sealingmaterial 18. The material 18 may be rubber or the like.

A clamping bar 20 extends along the joint 5 on the opposite face thereoffrom the bar 12 and is configured on one side to define channels 21snugly embracing adjacent portions of the panels 4 and particularly tosnugly engage the flanges 10 and portions 8 of each panel with alongitudinal rib portion 22 extending inwardly between the spacedflanges 10 and into engagement with the sealing material 18. Suitablemeans, such as screws 24, are provided to draw the bars 12 and 20together to thereby clampingly lock the edge portions of the panel 4 inthe joint and apply pressure to material 18. The screws 24 passfrictionally through the material 18 and are retained thereby againstloss even when the various parts are disassembled.

As will be obvious, clamping of the bars 12 and 20 together causes rib22' to apply pressure to the sealing material 18 and causes the same toflow to completely fill and sealingly engage all portions of thosemembers bounding and defining the peripherally closed passage way, inchannel 14, along the joint.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the joints and 6 identified therein are bothconstructed as described in connection with Fig. 2 but whereas, in theillustrated embodiment, joint 5 is rectilinear, joint 6 is circularsince it extends around the periphery of the structure, and the outerclamping bar 12' of joint 6 is curved as clearly indicated in theperspective showing of Fig. 4.

The clamping bar 12' is provided with a notch 26 extending inwardly fromone edge thereof substantially to the longitudinal center line of thebar and positioned in alignment with the joint 5. The clalmping bar 12of joint 5 is formed with an end portion 27 complementary to the notch26 and snugly fitting therein. The notch 26, as clearly shown in Fig. 4,is formed in only the body of the bar 12', the strip of sealing material18 therein is notnotched. Thus, a portion of the top surface of thestrip 18 and the edge portion thereof are exposed in the notch 26, asclearly shown in Fig. 4. The scaling material 18 in the joint 5terminates, at the intersection, in a transverse surface 28 (Fig. 3) sopositioned that it abuts the exposed edge surface of the sealingmaterial in joint 6 when the portions are in the relationship shown inFig. 3. Thus it will be seen that the intersections or interen gagingfaces between sealing strips 18 at the intersection do not coincide withthe abutting surfaces between the sealing bars 12 and 12' but are inoflset or staggered relation thereto. As the sealing material 18 is putunder pressure by virtue of clamping the joint bars together, somelongitudinal flow thereof will take place to firmly press the faces ofthose strips together in tight sealing relation at the jointintersection and thus form a continuous seal at the intersection.Although not shown in Fig. 3, the clamping bar 20 of the joint 5 and acorresponding bar of the joint 6 are similarly notched and formed toengage in the same manner as described in connection with the bars 12and 12-. The invention does encompass, however, an arrangement whereinthe strip of sealing material is formed or bent to extend integrallyaround the corner of certain joint intersections. Later description inconnection with a modified form (as shown in Figs. 7 and 8) will applyequally well to the clamping bars of the form just described and it isto be understood that the flanges of the panels 4 extend continuouslyaround the corners thereof at the joint intersection. As will be obviousfrom the later description, the channel 14 and the surfaces of theclamping bar will be so related at the intersection as to formcontinuous panel and flange-engaging portions extending along one jointand continuously around the corner along the intersecting joint.

As will be clear, the form of joint intersection just described definesa simple and readily assembled arrangement without the necessity ofproviding additional or bulky elements and serves not only to form atight and continuous joint at the intersection but also serves toprevent shifting movement of the panels 4 longitudinally of the joint 6,by virtue of the interlock between bars 12 and 12'. The describedconstruction also provides uninterrupted boundary surfaces at theperiphery of the abutting faces of material 18 at the intersection.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the joint intersection shown generally at A inFig. 1. The joint shown at B of Fig. l is essentially identical to thatshown at A, except that the corresponding notch 30 is not formed as asingle notch intermediate the ends of the bar 12 but is defined bybeveled end portions of the bar 12 which end portions abut each other at32 directly aligned with the centerline of the joint 5. Clearly, thepresent invention encompasses both forms as shown at A and B.

The embodiment illustrated specifically in Figs. 5 through 8 is similarin all essential respects to that of Figs. 2 through 4 but-omits thesealing material 18 of Fig. 2. Referring specifically to Fig. 5, whichillustrates a sectional view of a joint that could be employed for thestructure of Fig. 1 and corresponds generally to the showing of Fig. 2,the panels 4 are provided with downwardly and inwardly inclined edgeportions 40 terminating in outwardly directed flanges 42. The clampingbar 44 is provided with a longitudinal rectangular channel 46 and itsedge portions 45 are configured and arranged to snugly nest Within thespace between flanges 42 and edge portions 40. An inner clamping bar 48is provided with an inner face configured to define channels 49 snuglyembracing the inner surfaces of the portions 40 and flanges 42 and isprovided with a longitudinal rib 50 extending outwardly between theflanges 42 and holding those flanges in spaced relation and inengagement with the inner side faces of the channel 46. Clamping screws24 are employed to clamp the bars 44 and 48 together and to clamp theedge portions of the panels 4 therebetween.

The structure of Fig. 5 is obviously adapted to the intersecting jointconstruction described in connection with Figs. 1 through 4 and such ajoint is shown in plan in Fig. 6 wherein the clamping bar 44' of onejoint is provided with a notch 52 in one of its edges extendingsubstantially to the longitudinal center line of that bar. The otherclamping bar 44 has its end 54 formed complementary to the notch 52 andnested therein.

As will be obvious from Figs. 7 and 8, the flanges 42 extendcontinuously along the adjacent edges between panels 4 and around thecorner to extend along the edges adjacent the third panel 4' (the samebeing true of the flanges 10 of Fig. 2). As is evident from the lowerportion of Fig. 7 and from Fig. 8, the notched connection between thebar 48 and bar 48 on one hand and bar 44 and bar 44' on the other handis such that the rib 50 on the bars 48 and 48' and the channels orgrooves 49 alongside that rib extend continuously around the corner ofthe joint intersection to receive the continuous corre sponding portionsof the edges of panels 4. In like manner the mitered relation of thebars 44 or 44' is such that the channels 46 thereof intersect to form aT-shaped channel at the intersection to receive the continuous flanges42. It will be obvious that when the fitted bars of Fig. 8 are invertedand applied to the top of the assembly of Fig. 7 in the obvious manner,the entire structure at the joint intersection will be securely lockedtogether against any relative shifting and the arrangement provides fora continuous mechanical closure and mechanical seal throughout thejoints and their intersection even though no hermetic sealing means areprovided.

While Figs. 6 through 8 illustrate a T-shaped joint wherein one of thebars is notched, corresponding to the joint at A of Fig. 1, it will beobvious that the bar 44 of Fig. 6 may, in fact, constitute two barshaving their ends in abutment at the apex of the notch 52, in the mannershown at B in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 illustrates a further adaptation of the present invention whereinfour panels 4 meet at a joint intersection C. In this embodiment thebars 44 and 48 are each formed with pointed mitered ends 54. Thus, twoaligned bars 44, in eifect, define a bar having notches on oppositeedges to receive the end portions of transverse bars 44. The arrangementis clearly shown in Fig. 9 and it is believed obvious that such anarrangement incorporates the basic features of the described invention.

Fig. 10 shows a further adaptation of the invention to a cross-overjoint intersection wherein the bars 44 terminate short of the jointintersection between four adjacent panels 4 and wherein a cross-shapedfitting 56 is provided at the joint intersection. Each leg of thefitting 56 is formed to a cross-section identical to that of the bars 44and its central portion is configured like the adjacent portions of thebars 44 of Fig. 9 to define an integral cross-over member. Obviously,the fitting 56 provided for engagement of and closure with thecontinuous flanges 42 shown in Pig. 7. If desired, a fitting 56 may beprovided on one face of the structure while the bars 48 on theother-face thereof may be mutually mitered as suggested in Fig. 9, or afitting corresponding to that shown at 56 may be provided for theintersection between bars 48 on the other side of the structure.

Clearly, such arrangements as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, in connectionwith the form of joint of Fig. 5, may also be employed with the sealedjoint shown in Figs. 2 through 4.

While a limited number of embodiments of the invention have been shownand described herein, they are to be considered merely illustrative andnot as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments fallingwithin the terms of the appended claims are contemplated within thescope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A structure comprising a plurality of wall panels arranged withadjacent edge portions extending along joints between said panels, eachof said joints comprising a pair of clamping bars extending therealongwith said adjacent edge portions of said panels lying between said bars,interlocking formations on said edge portions and said bars, meansclamping said bars together and interlockingly securing said panelsalong said joints in direct contact with said bars, said structureincluding at least one joint extending transverse to and intersectinganother joint, both the clamping bars of said other joint beinglaterally notched in alignment with said one joint, and end portions ofboth the clamping bars of said one joint being formed complementary tosaid notches and nested therein.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said interlockingformations comprise lateral flanges extending peripherally of saidpanels and being continous from one edge to an adjacent edge of eachpanel, at least one of the clamping bars of each pair having alongitudinal channel therein snugly receiving the flanges of said panelsand holding the same against relative movement, said notches andcomplementary end portions providing communication between said channelsat said joint intersection whereby the flange of a panel adjacent saidintersection extends, in said channels, continuously from said one jointto and along said other joint.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said flanges, said channelsand the other of said clamping bars defines peripherally closed channelsextending along said joints, said closed channels being filled withflowable sealing material under pressure therein and sealingly engagingboth flanges of said joint.

4. A structure comprising separate wall sections having intersectingjoints at their adjacent edges, said wall sections having flanged edgeportions, grooved clamping bars extending along said joints,self-sustaining flexible sealing material in the grooves of said bars,the said flanged edge portions of said wall sections extending into saidgrooves in engagement therewith and engaging said sealing materialtherein, and means for confining said sealing material to said grooveand applying pressure thereto, said clamping bars having abuttingrnitered edge portions at an intersection of said joints, the saidsealing material in the groove of one of said bars having an end faceabutting a side face of the sealing material of an adjacent bar at saidjoint, the abutting faces of said sealing material being offset relativeto the abutting mitered edges of said sealing bars.

5. A structure comprising a plurality of wall panels having joints attheir adjacent edges and arranged to define at least one jointtransverse to and intersecting another joint, said panels having lateraledge flanges extending along said joints and being continuous from oneof said intersecting joints to the other, said joints including meansoverlying adjacent edge portions of said panels and having channelstherein snugly receiving and interlocking with said flanges to hold thesame against relative movement, the channels of said means intersectingat said joint intersection to receive said continuous flanges, and meansclamping said flanges in said channels.

6. A structure as defined in claim 5 including self-.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.21,524 Gramelspacher Aug. 6, 1940 577,097 Abrahams Feb. 16, 18971,825,154 McDermott Sept. 29, 1931 2,183,790 Dillehay et a1. Dec. 19,1939 2,673,659 Moore Mar. 30, 1954

